Theatre Above the Law and A Red Orchid Theatre dive into the physics and magic of being alive together.

For the past year, I’ve been making the same (extremely bad) joke, paraphrasing the hard-boiled koan delivered by Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle from the first season of True Detective. “Time is a flat tire.”…Read More

Kate Hudson stars as the caretaker for her sister on the spectrum (Maddie Ziegler) in a manipulative dance through drug addiction, abuse and other tragedies.

The worst moment in the jaw-dropping train wreck that is “Music” is the pink-coated fantasy musical number that plays like Cirque du Soleil doing a commercial for Pepto-Bismol.

Wait, the worst moment in “Music” is when Kate Hudson’s Zu wants to dump her half-sister Music (yes, her name is Music) at a mental health facility, and the following exchange occurs:

Zu: “Do you guys do pickup?”

Receptionist: “Pickup, you mean like a laundry service? No, we don’t do that.”

Hold on. The worst moment in “Music” is the quick-cut, frenetic, orange-tinted fantasy musical number when the title character flails about making exaggerated facial and body contortions that would embarrass the worst mime ever to work a city street corner.

Ah, no need to argue or debate. They’re ALL terrible moments — and there are so many more — in this well-intentioned but woefully executed directing/co-writing feature debut by the Australian pop sensation Sia, who compounds the problem by making one of the most tone-deaf and grating celebrity cameos in recent cinema history.

When “Music” picked up Golden Globe nominations for best picture musical/comedy and for Kate Hudson’s performance, I think it’s safe to say the typical reaction was along the lines of: Oh Kate Hudson, I like her, we haven’t seen much of her lately, followed by, What the heck is this movie called “Music?” Filmed in 2017, “Music” first generated controversy when it was learned neurotypical actor Maddie Ziegler (who has starred in many of Sia’s videos) was cast as the lead character, a teenage girl on the far end of the non-verbal autism spectrum. Sia’s initial responses to her critics were inelegant at best, and then the controversy seemed to fade away along with the movie, which is just now seeing the light of day in the States.

We were better off in the dark.

Ziegler employs a mere handful of facial expressions and verbal tics to play Music in the real world and goes way over the top and all the way to the moon in the ambitious and colorful but grating musical numbers. (It’s as if she’s doing variations on moves she’s employed in several of the aforementioned music videos.) It always feels like a sincere but superficial performance rather than a fully formed and richly empathetic portrayal. Interspersed between the 10 original music numbers, we get a putatively gritty and heart-tugging storyline that encompasses so many serious issues, from autism to alcoholism to drug addiction to AIDS to parental abuse to death itself, it’s a like a Tragedy Movie Checklist. Manipulation is the driving force behind many a scene.

The main storyline focuses on Hudson’s Zu as a newly sober drug dealer who is the surviving family caregiver for her half-sister Music after their grandmother (Mary Kay Place) drops dead on the kitchen floor, remaining there until Hector Elizondo as the obligatory kindly neighbor discovers her. Zu is an addict who can barely take care of herself, as she keeps telling everyone — though she looks awfully good with her ripped abs and Beverly Hills-quality dental work, but hey, this is not a movie big on realism.

The wonderful Leslie Odom Jr. does all he can with a clichéd role as the caring neighbor Ebo, and there are moments of genuine tender chemistry between Hudson and Odom — but then it’s time for another candy-colored musical number, where much attention is given to production design and choreography, and Sia’s music is catchy but repetitive, and it’s a whole lot of noise carrying a mere whisper of an impact.

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There’s much entertainment, live and virtual, on tap in Chicago in the week ahead.

Vibrant Van Gogh

For those craving a unique art experience, the “Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit” is just the thing to sate that desire. Taking place at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, the digital art event utilizes the venue’s 35-foot-walls and multiple levels to present this vibrant immersion, which uses state-of-the-art technology, theatrical storytelling and animation to surround viewers on all sides with the work of the great Dutch painter. The Toronto Sun called the 60-minute, walk-through exhibit “intense and emotional, cathartic and liberating.” “Immersive Van Gogh” runs Feb. 11-Sept. 6 at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, 108 W. Germania. Timed tickets are $39.99-$99.99 ($24.99 for children 16 and under). All the usual COVID-19 safety protocols will be adhered to. Visit vangoghchicago.com.

The good times

Jake Springfield

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Celebrate Mardi Gras virtually this year with a pair of streamed performances offered by the Evanston music venue Space. First up is Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience (7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, $15-$35) featuring one of Louisiana’s great Creole musicians. Longtime friends Ivan Neville and Jon Cleary (8 p.m. Feb. 16, $18-$65), two of New Orleans’ funkiest keyboard players, singers and bandleaders celebrate Fat Tuesday with their brand of musical gumbo. Visit evanstonspace.com. The Terrance Simien show also is available through FitzGerald’s; visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Music for Tibet

One of the longest running cultural events in New York, the 34^th annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert, returns this year with a special virtual edition, which for the first time offers viewers around the world the opportunity to experience the sense of community and amazing music the evening has provided for so many years at Carnegie Hall. Composer and artistic director Philip Glass once again curated this year’s lineup, which features in a combination of live and recorded segments: Eddie Vedder, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Flaming Lips, Phoebe Bridgers, Brittany Howard, Valerie June, Angélique Kidjo, Laurie Anderson, Marc Anthony Thompson of Chocolate Genius Inc., Tessa Thompson, Saori Tsukada and many more. Proceeds support the work of Tibet House US, a non-profit educational institution and cultural embassy to ensure the survival of the unique Tibetan civilization. The concert streams at 7 p.m. Feb. 17. Tickets: $25-$250. Visit tibethouse.us.

Valentine laughs

Courtesy the Annoyance Theatre

Laugh Factory Chicago fills the Valentine’s Day weekend with interactive stand-up comedy at 7 p.m. Feb. 11, 13 and 14. Performers include Pat Tomasulo, Zako Ryan and Chelsea Hood (Feb. 11, this show is followed by a virtual trivia competition); Marvin Phipps, Mark Simmons, Erica Clark and Em Brown (Feb. 13) and Meechie Hall, Sarah Perry, Clark Jones and Alex Dragicevich (Feb. 14). Tickets: $10-$25. Visit laughfactory.com/clubs/chicago. … Zanies Comedy Club presents “Laugh More Live (Cupid Edition)” at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 featuring T. Murph, Joe Kilgallon, Pat Tomasulo and Carly Kane. Tickets: $10-$25. Visit chicago.zanies.com. … The Annoyance offers two sketch comedy shows: “Cupid’s Big Day” with the Garden Boys (8 p.m. Feb. 14) and “Little Piggy Valentines” with the Little Piggy Girls (9 p.m. Feb. 14). Tickets: $10 suggested donation. Visit theannoyance.com.

Music for kids

Jayme Thornton Photo

Children’s musician Laurie Berkner celebrates Valentine’s Day with two livestreamed concerts at noon and 5 p.m. Feb. 14. There’s a fun-filled virtual lobby with pre-show music and videos plus Valentine games and a craft activity. Tickets: $20. Visit laurieberkner.com/concerts. … Chicago musicians Wendy & DB host a free livestreamed kids music festival at 3 p.m. Feb. 17. Guests include Two of a Kind, Turtle Dance Music and Jeanie B. Visit wendyanddb.com.

Heartfelt songs

J. Ivy Photo

Eighth Blackbird Presents features singer Tarrey Torae performing songs from her new release “Catching Feelings” (7 p.m. Feb. 13). Tickets: $20. Visit eighthblackbird.org. … “Songs of Love and the Lack Thereof” features John Paul White, Cedric Burnside and Erin Rae singing songs of love and heartbreak (8 p.m. Feb. 14). Tickets: $20-$60. Visit evanstonspace.com. … “Valentunes” showcases favorite love songs performed by members of the American Blues Theater ensemble (7 p.m. Feb. 12). Tickets: $50 suggested donation or pay-what-you-can. Visit americanbluestheater.com.

Virtual stage

Dakota Hughes

Hell in a Handbag Productions presents Tyler Anthony Smith’s “Out, Darn Spot!,” a campy comedy which sends up Shakespeare in the story of Lady Marcia Macbeth, the original real housewife. Streams Feb. 12-March 21. Tickets: $17. Visit handbagproductions.org. … Victory Garden Theater presents “New Plays for a New Year,” free virtual readings of new 10-minute plays by McKenzie Chinn, Preston Choi and York Walker at 7 p.m. Feb. 12. Visit victorygardens.org. … Interrobang Theatre Project brings back its Jeff Award-nominated drama “Here Lies Henry,” in which the title character tries to make sense of his life before it’s too late. Streams to Feb. 25. Tickets: $15. Visit interrobangtheatreproject.org. … PrideArts presents “Lesbian Shorts,” readings of five plays performed live. Streams at 7 p.m. Feb. 16. Tickets: $10. Visit pridearts.org.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.

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This week’s featured gig poster was designed by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mobley for his upcoming online tour.

This week’s gig poster was designed by Mobley, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Austin, Texas.…Read More

Pope Francis sent along rosary beads to offer comfort to grieving relatives.

Their tiny white caskets lay at the front of the church, not far from grandparents who’d flown in from Mexico for a final farewell.

Pope Francis tried to offer some comfort, sending along rosary beads.

“He would like me to make sure the family receives them as a way of showing his closeness to you,” said Cardinal Blase Cupich, officiating Wednesday at the funeral Mass for a mother and her four young children who died Jan. 27 in a Des Plaines house fire. “And he would ask that you pray for him because he takes on himself the sufferings of the world, your suffering.”

The funeral Mass, conducted almost entirely in Spanish, was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. A smattering of mourners, socially distanced and wearing masks, sat in the pews.

Investigators say a space heater likely caused the blaze that killed Grace Espinosa, 2; Allison Espinosa, 3; Genesis Espinosa, 5; Renata P. Espinosa, 6; and their mother, Nancy Cithlaly Zamudio, 25.

The 104-year-old home in the 700 block of Oakton Street was a two-story duplex. The family who died lived in a second-floor unit. The children’s father was at work at the time of the fire, a neighbor said.

The Very Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, the shrine’s rector, spoke of the terrible loss of innocent lives, and he spoke of the courage of a family that had come to America trying to make a new life.

“When you come from another country, you can’t speak the language and you try for it anyway. You bring your family, hoping that your future is going to be beautiful and bright. You’re hoping that your girls will have a future,” Sanchez said.

“You have to be brave to do that. You have to be brave. You have to have faith. You have to believe in yourself to know that if I hang onto faith and work hard, a beautiful life can I live.”

Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic

Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times file

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Ousting him as House speaker is just the beginning of the party’s renovation. Next up: ditching him and his outdated tactics from the chairmanship.Read More

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Pope Francis sent along rosary beads to offer comfort to grieving relatives.

Their tiny white caskets lay at the front of the church, not far from grandparents who’d flown in from Mexico for a final farewell.

Pope Francis tried to offer some comfort, sending along rosary beads.

“He would like me to make sure the family receives them as a way of showing his closeness to you,” said Cardinal Blase Cupich, officiating Wednesday at the funeral Mass for a mother and her four young children who died Jan. 27 in a Des Plaines house fire. “And he would ask that you pray for him because he takes on himself the sufferings of the world, your suffering.”

The funeral Mass, conducted almost entirely in Spanish, was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. A smattering of mourners, socially distanced and wearing masks, sat in the pews.

Investigators say a space heater likely caused the blaze that killed Grace Espinosa, 2; Allison Espinosa, 3; Genesis Espinosa, 5; Renata P. Espinosa, 6; and their mother, Nancy Cithlaly Zamudio, 25.

The 104-year-old home in the 700 block of Oakton Street was a two-story duplex. The family who died lived in a second-floor unit. The children’s father was at work at the time of the fire, a neighbor said.

The Rev. Esequiel Sanchez, the shrine’s rector, spoke of the terrible loss of innocent lives, and he spoke of the courage of a family that had come to America trying to make a new life.

“When you come from another country, you can’t speak the language and you try for it anyway. You bring your family, hoping that your future is going to be beautiful and bright. You’re hoping that your girls will have a future,” Sanchez said.

“You have to be brave to do that. You have to be brave. You have to have faith. You have to believe in yourself to know that if I hang onto faith and work hard, a beautiful life can I live.”

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Chicago-born singer-songwriter KeiyaA beat the odds by turning her debut album, Forever, Ya Girl, into a multidimensional artwork.

“Polyester!”…Read More